Plasma concentration Sprague-Dawley rat at 0.35 to 1.4 mg/kg, sc

An oral, peripherally restricted CB1/CB2 agonist could provide an interesting approach to treat chronic pain by harnessing the analgesic properties of cannabinoids but without the well-known central side effects. gamma-Carbolines are a novel class of potent mixed CB1/CB2 agonists characterized by attractive physicochemical properties including high aqueous solubility. Optimization of the series has led to the discovery of 29, which has oral activity in a rat inflammatory pain model and limited brain exposure at analgesic doses, consistent with a lower risk of CNS-mediated tolerability issues. ..more

Title: gamma-Carbolines: a novel class of cannabinoid agonists with high aqueous solubility and restricted CNS penetration.

Abstract: An oral, peripherally restricted CB1/CB2 agonist could provide an interesting approach to treat chronic pain by harnessing the analgesic properties of cannabinoids but without the well-known central side effects. gamma-Carbolines are a novel class of potent mixed CB1/CB2 agonists characterized by attractive physicochemical properties including high aqueous solubility. Optimization of the series has led to the discovery of 29, which has oral activity in a rat inflammatory pain model and limited brain exposure at analgesic doses, consistent with a lower risk of CNS-mediated tolerability issues. (PMID: 22284817)